Vertigo (09.01.18)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

The scene opens up to Evan Envi, which prompts the crowd in the PPG Paints Arena collectively boo the FGA World Champion. Evan looks around to see if anyone is nearby. Envi seems to be curious as to who would be the new boss on Vertigo, evident by the long gaze fixed on the door. He closes his eyes for a moment, drawing a deep breath before presenting his best smile. The Chief knocks on the door two times. He waits for a few seconds… then realizes no one is answering. Envi sighs, furrowing a brow.

Evan Envi: ...fine then…

Envi combs his hair back, checks his breath, and adjusts his title on his shoulder. He gives a big smile and then opens the door, throwing it open emphatically.

Evan Envi: Hey how’s it going? I’m Evan Envi, and I’m your--

Envi’s eyes finally fall on the person at the desk. The look on his face seems like his heart just leaped into his throat as he gulps hard. Envi’s mouth is hung open, and then the camera quickly swings around to show…

…

…

…

Jimmy Page.

The crowd cheers as Page is seen with his feet kicked up. On the desk he has books and his tablet set up. Page is seen tossing Bugles into the air and catching them in his mouth. He nods his head with a casual glance.

Jimmy Page: ...Sup?

Envi is pale at this point, he checks the door to make sure he was in the right room. Evan can’t believe his eyes and seems to be speechless. That is until he composes himself and straightens his back.

Evan Envi: What ar… wh…

The World Championship belt falls from Evan’s shoulder, sliding down his arm, though he catches it, stumbling a bit to make sure he keeps a grip-- though his eyes never leave Page. The Chief’s expression seems to cycle from anger to horror to desperation.

Evan Envi: What do you think you’re doing in here?

Jimmy Page: Eh, you know, the space was free so I decided why not squat here? I mean, this is a roomy spot isn’t it? Since I’m not working tonight, I thought I’d get comfy and watch the Dynamic Duo qualifiers. Best damn Tag Team tournament in wrestling right now. You know, Fujiko and Izzy, I wanna say they’re my favorite team to take the thing--but that’s just my bias. Fujiko’s pretty cool...I wonder if she wants to chill out here until her match starts. Maybe see if Anders is in a social mood. I gotta Nintendo Switch now so...

Page’s eyebrows jump a bit with excitement as he smirks at a gobsmacked Envi. Jimmy throws a Bugle up, it misses his mouth and hits the corner of his nose. He shrugs and holds the bag open towards Envi, offering him some. He raises his brows, shaking the bag to catch Evan’s attention.

Jimmy Page: Hey, you okay?

Envi’s free hand clenches and unclenches from a fist to an open palm, repeatedly as he closes his eyes again, taking a deep breath.

Evan Envi: This… this is supposed to be a sacred area. You--

Envi smacks the bag of Bugles away from him, moving a hand through his hair as he sighs in frustration.

Evan Envi: You know, we…

Envi shakes his head, lowering his hands to his sides before looking over at Page.

Evan Envi: We can’t have this-- the inmates running the asylum. There needs to be some sort of balance, James. There needs to be like-- like an order to things. A hierarchy. You can’t just-- just come in here and do what you’re doing! We have to have someone that can keep people like you in check. We need to have someone to finalize the card for Vertigo in two weeks, which takes place INNN my hometown of Baltimore. We--

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The very mention of the city, simply coming out of Evan’s mouth, earns a deafening, negative reaction from the PPG Paints Arena, causing Envi to recoil a bit, before continuing.

Evan Envi: James. We need someone that has the best intentions for this brand and this FGA… World… Championship.

Envi hugs the belt to his chest, shaking his head at James while the audience continues to boo. Page looks Envi over for a bit, he nods his head, takes his feet down from the desk, and places his snack down on the desk.

Jimmy Page: Y’know you’re right Evan, I don’t have the power to do anything…

Page tosses his hands up with a sigh. He dusts his hands off and adjusts in the chair. Evan seems like he doesn’t know what’s going on. He’s actually surprised to hear James agree with him. Envi has a smug look on his face, holding his head up a bit.

Evan Envi: That’s right, so--

Jimmy Page: That’s why I had a talk with the Board. Y’know the big hunchos who give the General Managers the contracts?

Envi’s face turns grim, Page tilts his head to the right and rolls his eyes slightly. He begins to twist left to right in the office chair. The crowd cheers as Page looks at Envi with a small smirk.

Jimmy Page: Since Brandon Macdonald is no longer the GM for Vertigo we don’t have anyone to make the big calls. I’m not gonna do that because I’m not that big of an egomaniac. So the higher uppers are going to take over Vertigo, and it’s fine with me because at the end of the day I kind of trust them. But here’s the kicker though: You’re not gonna believe what they booked for Capital Combat, you’re gonna love it--

Page holds up the bag of Bugles towards Envi again.

Jimmy Page: Bugle…? You could use a Bugle right now, you look whiter than usual.

Evan Envi stares in silence at Page for a few seconds before reaching toward the bag… but retracting his hand, stomping a foot in frustration.

Evan Envi: No! Tell me what it is!

Jimmy Page: So, it’s gonna be Jimmy Page...versus Evan Envi...for the FGA World Championship…!

Envi rolls his eyes, almost like he predicted Page’s statement. Envi looks almost relieved and gets some of his swagger back.

Evan Envi: Oh wow James, really? All these theratics for that? You know you--

Page holds a hand up, he reaches into the bag and munches his snack. Leaning back, he glances deep into Envi’s eyes.

Jimmy Page: But here’s where it gets even better: Not only is it a title match...it’s a LUMBERJACK match.

Evan’s eyes widen, and the crowd is absolutely loving it. Envi tries to form words, but no sound comes out as he moves his lips.

Evan Envi: ...

Jimmy Page: So no matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try and weasel your way out of that match; A sea of people are going to be there to toss your basic little ass back in that ring...where it’ll be just you...and ME…!!!

Page scowls at Envi, his hand slowly reaches in-between he and Evan...there was the bag of Bugles.

Jimmy Page: I think you’re gonna want that Bugle now.

Evan Envi: ...I…

He sighs, blinking rapidly before a look of acceptance crosses his face, though still illustrated by the frown. Envi reaches into the bag… but only finds crumbs as he removes his hand, earning a howl of laughter from the live audience.

Stephy Auger: James Page is a monster, Cruise.

Envi closes his eyes and exhales loudly, allowing the crumbs to fall from his hands before he takes a step back. Dejected, Envi backtracks all the way to the door of the office, seemingly startled as he backs into it. The jittery Envi reaches back, looking for the handle.

Evan Envi: I…

He finally finds the handle and pushes the door open, standing in the doorframe as he looks up into the heavens and then back at Page, mouth slightly agape. Page shakes the empty bag of snacks upside down. Jimmy shrugs and balls it up.

Jimmy Page: Tough break.

Page tosses the bag at the door, Envi’s still so shook that he doesn’t even flinch at the slight. His head hangs as he exits the room. Jimmy then goes back to his previous state: His legs kicked up and enjoying the rest of the show.

Stephy Auger: Where does he get off making matches like that?!

Kris Cruise: Correction, the Board made the decision, not Jimmy! Page just gave Envi a taste of his own medicine!

Stephy Auger: Page is a neanderthal, he’s not smart enough to do something like this! Ugh, did you see how sad Envi looked...I wanna cry right now.

Kris Cruise: I’ll get you a box of tissues, but right now we’ve got a show to start!!

[FGA Office]

¡Uno!
¡Dos!
¡Tres!
¡Catorce!


Hello hello
(Hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo
(Donde esta?)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something
I can feel, feel


Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea



PPG Paints Arena
Pittsburgh, PA

Pre-recorded…

Dom Harter: They call us thieves...

Annie Zellor: Liars…

Dom Harter: Pretenders…

Annie Zellor: Derpface trolls…

The New Murder members list off some of the insults that have been thrown their way in recent weeks as the scene fades in from black; the pair are standing in a stairwell, presumably somewhere within the PPG Paints Arena, dressed as you’d expect to find them. The matching leather jackets and torn jeans, their own t-shirts visible beneath the jackets, and the FGA United States tag titles over each of their shoulders. But neither Dom nor Annie is smiling. Not today. Instead, the contempt they feel is clearly etched into their expressions as they continue.

Dom Harter: They deny that we are the rightful FGA United States Tag Team champions. They claim that our victory over The Dom Harter Fan Club didn’t mean anything! As if Chad and...the other two aren’t worthy competitors. As if they aren’t the best fans a man could ask for! As if that wasn’t a proper title match...because the board of directors didn’t say it was…

The mocking tone shines through at the end as Dom rolls his eyes, shaking his head in dismay at Neal Durden’s recent comments.

Annie Zellor: But it doesn’t surprise us, to be honest. ‘Cause people like Pendragon are so quick to forget. People like Lowri Moss are, like, so quick to look past their own faults. But I see them, Lowri. In you and Neal!

She jabs her finger at the camera, pausing for a moment to let that one linger as Dom shakes his head again.

Annie Zellor: Everything we did for you. Everything I did for you, Lowri. And how did you repay me, huh!? You just cast me aside, like our friendship meant nothing to you. Like I was never there for you when you needed me. Like I never picked you up when you were down...But I remember, Lowri.

Dom Harter: But no, instead Lowri Moss and Neal Durden have to try and paint us as the bad guys here. They have to lie to themselves, and perform all those mental gymnastics, just to convince themselves that they’re in the right here. To tell themselves that they’re the true FGA United States Tag Team Champions.

Annie Zellor: That even through all the sneak attacks and, like, they tried to steal my title!

Annie exclaims, patting the belt on her shoulder to make sure it’s still there.

Dom Harter: What kind of a person would do such a thing?

Annie Zellor: A jerk, that’s who. But that’s the last straw, Lowri. I dunno if I can forgive you for what you did two weeks ago in Cincinnati. And worse than that, I dunno if our friendship can ever be the same after you tried to steal my title belt. So I think it’s, like, for the best if we just go our separate ways now. And, to be honest, it’s not me. It’s you…

Annie steps back, a look of disgust on her face as she sneers at the camera. That’s when Dom steps forward, running a hand through his hair as he takes a deep breath. That familiar crooked grin slowly spreading across his face as he looks into the camera once more.

Dom Harter: Lost your titles, lost your friends. Thank God you’ve got that World Cup to keep you company at night, Lowri. Which reminds me...I have a promise to keep, don’t I? Well here goes...I was wrong about you…

He sounds sincere, even bowing slightly as he gestures towards the camera with one hand. But that crooked grin betrays his true intention.

Dom Harter: ...because I thought you were a person of good moral standing. But you two not only allowed, but you participated in the greatest farce that FGA has ever seen! Pendragon jumped at the chance to desecrate, to ruin, to try and piss on the legacy of those who came before! Those who sacrificed for what you have. Those who built the stage on which you perform.

Annie Zellor: Watch them pretend not to know what you’re talking about…

She adds from the background, shaking her head as Dom runs a hand through his hair again.

Dom Harter: Then let me explain. You see, a few months ago we had a GM who felt that the FGA World Tag Team titles were being hoarded by...the A show. Fortunately he’s gone now, thanks to Evan Envi being incapable of ducking a chair shot. But those titles he disrespected? They mean something to us. Those titles he disrespected? Those are our legacy! Those are our creation! Tag team wrestling in FGA would be nothing - NOTHING! Without us…

Dom gestures to himself and Annie.

Dom Harter: When you think of those who held the FGA World Tag Team titles, you think of two names. First, you think of me. I brought those belts into existence, I was the first champion! I won the first ever Dynamic Duos tournament! I did that! For me, for you, for FGA, and for tag team wrestling everywhere. And secondly, you think of the #sparklebuddies. They set the benchmark by which even the teams today measure themselves. They defined tag team wrestling here in FGA during one of the most important periods. And yet…

Dom grits his teeth, raising one clenched fist to jaw level as he glares at the camera once again.

Dom Harter: ...and yet, as soon as you think we’re gone. As soon as you think you’re rid of us, you want to magic up some new tag titles! You want to boast about the tag division here on the B show! And praise all those great teams…

Annie Zellor: Shootcamp, Pendragon, RIP, Maritza & Pedro, Firing Squad…

Dom Harter: And others…

The words are said with utter disdain; the crooked grin having long since faded as Dom stares stony-faced at the camera. Annie steps forward once again, leaving Dom to fume behind her. She pushes some hair back behind her ear as she composes herself, looking straight at the camera again as she speaks.

Annie Zellor: Now I dunno about any of you, but I noticed a name missing from that list. And that name is The New Murder! But if you wanna kick us when we’re down - and you did! For five months, people like Lowri and Neal, Evan and Jimmy Page wanted nothing more than to take shots at Dom! In the year I’ve been gone, people have done their best to try and erase me from history! But we’re not gonna stand back and take that. Not now. Not ever! You wanna make some new tag titles here in FGA, you look to two of the best tag team wrestlers in FGA history!

Pause. That wry little smirk appears on Annie’s face again as she raises one eyebrow, patting the belt on her shoulder once again.

Annie Zellor: ‘Cause we’re right here. We’re Annie Zellor and Dom Harter, and we’re The New Murder. Not those teams Brandon listed. ‘Cause those teams aren’t fit to lace our boots. ‘Cause they couldn’t last in the ring with us. ‘Cause we’re the rightful FGA United States Tag Team Champions. And, Pendragon, if you’ve got a problem with that? You know where to find us.

With that the scene fades to black, bringing the segment to an end as The New Murder members pat their tag titles again.

[FGA Office]

In the parking lot opposite the PPG Paints arena, a rusty ice cream van skids to a stop, belching some smoke from its exhaust as it comes to rest. The shutter flies up and the masked face of Jimmy Sprinklez leans out over the counter as a crowd forms around it.

Jimmy Sprinklez: 'Ow's it going, boys and girls!? It's me, yer old pal, Mister Whippy, Jimmy Sprinklez! And guess who's with me...

A huge, bulbous green head appears beside him while Jimmy hands out frozen delights to the throng. Its owner waves enthusiastically.

Jimmy Sprinklez: That's right! It's my best friend and The World's Sweetest Frog, Sherbet! We're here at Vertigo for some fun and games and we're so excited to see you all!

Sherbet jumps up and down clapping her hands, so hard the van starts rocking.

Jimmy Sprinklez: We're here to make some brand new friends - Rori and Tommy! But between you and me, girls and boys, I'm not so sure they're ready to be friends with us.

Sherbet rubs a fist next to one eye, miming crying, and shakes her head.

Jimmy Sprinklez: I know, Sherbet. It's very sad. But you see, Tommy told me on Twitter - and I quote - that they were going to hurt us. And then he made a mean face!

Jimmy raises a hand to his mouth, sounding absolutely scandalised by the very notion of hurting people and being mean!

Jimmy Sprinklez: But it's fine, children. Sometimes you have to work a little harder with some people to make friends with them. But it's worth it! Everybody deserves a little bit of love to make them feel better inside. Sometimes the people who find it hardest to make friends end up being the best friends of all. We'll keep plugging away at Tommy and Rori until we win them over and before you know it, we'll have two wonderful new playmates to share all our adventures with! Just so long as Sherbet and your pal Jimmy don't get... TOO excited. I know, I know. Sometimes we can get a little bit rough when we play, a little bit rowdy...

Sherbet covers her giant, unblinking eyes with her palms, sheepishly.

Jimmy Sprinklez: It's all in good fun, though! Oh, I do hope Rori and Tommy will play along with us as we laugh and learn and have ourselves a big dollop of fun with a cherry on top! See you very soon, girls and boys!

[FGA Office]

• Tag Team Match •
Super Mario Wrestling Bros vs. Olé Anderson & Gully Blanchard

The match starts with Landon Knight delivering the Chain Chomp (arm wrench into a short-arm forearm strike) to Blanchard. He then takes Blanchard and whips him into the far corner. Landon charges across the ring, lunges at Blanchard and connects with the Tail Attack (flying hip attack). He then brings Blanchard from out of the corner before shooting him off into the far ropes. When Blanchard returns, Landon knocks him down with the 1-Up Uppercut (pop-up European Uppercut)!

The tag is made to Max Powers, who slingshots himself into the ring. After picking up Blanchard, Powers shoots him back over into the far corner. Powers then runs over and connects with the Koopa Kick (rolling koppu kick), sending Blanchard crumbling from out of the corner. He makes the cover, but Anderson rushes over and breaks up the pin. This brings Knight rushing back in and delivering a running hurricanrana, sending Anderson through the ropes and to the floor. Back in the ring, Blanchard reverses an irish whip and sends Powers into the ropes. When Powers returns, he sees Blanchard setting up for a back body drop. So he stops and plants Blanchard with the It’s-A-Me-DT (Snap DDT)! The SMWB then deliver the Super Smash Melee (Rolling fireman's carry slam by Landon, followed by a 450 Splash by Max, followed by a springboard Phoenix Splash by Landon)! Knight rolls off of Blanchard and lets Powers get the cover for the ONE! TWO! THREE!

Super Mario Wrestling Bros O || Super Smash Melee (1:O6) || Olé Anderson & Gully Blanchard X

Making their way up the ramp following their victory as the Pittsburgh crowd continue chanting their name, Powers and Knight turn around to face the crowd once more and show their appreciation…but in that moment of self-aggrandisement they fail to see Erin Mariani and Sara Mason creep from within the crowd and make their way onto the ramp as they stand behind the SMWB, taking a moment to let the anticipation build before they strike.

Just as the SMWB notice the atmosphere in the arena change, Mariani grabs Powers from behind and digs her fingernails into his eye sockets causing Powers to yell in pain, yet before Knight can respond Mason cracks him in the ribs with a crowbar and follows up with a couple of shots to the gut!

Growing tired of Powers’ cries, Mariani moves her fingers from his eyes to his hair and uses it for purchase to toss him head-first into the ramp, connecting with a sickening crack as the back of his head bounces off the structure, but as soon as his head hits the ramp Mariani and Mason quickly drag him back to his feet before they hurl him from the rampway with a double hip toss that sends him deep into the crowd, crashing onto several folding chairs as he makes impact with the ground!!!

Having disposed of Powers for now, Mariani grabs a handful of Knight’s hair and drags him along the ramp towards the ring, with Mason following behind snickering as she goes, until they reach ringside where she hauls him into a kneeling position near the ringsteps and holds his head in place as Mason charges forwards and kicks him in the back of the head, driving him face-first into the steel steps!

Still not satisfied, Mariani and Mason pick Knight off the floor and toss him into the ring, taking their time entering the ring as they know he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, and once they’re inside the ring Mariani once again grabs a handful of his hair to lift him into a kneeling position where she places a couple of fingers under his chin and tells him exactly what’s going to happen next with a wicked smile upon her lips, and once he’s in place the duo connect with Morgenstern

Standing over Knight’s fallen form, Mariani looks out into the crowd to see if Powers has reappeared, and once she’s satisfied that he isn’t anywhere to be seen she nods to Mason who then asks for a mic, and upon receiving it she drops to a crouch next to Knight’s fallen form to say…

Sara Mason: Welcome back.

As the crowd jeers the unholy hell out of Mason, she merely finds it amusing and chuckles to herself, rising to her feet and clapping her hands above her head as she mocks the crowd

Sara Mason: WELCOME BACK! WELCOME BACK!

Mason stomps on the back of Knight’s head as she continues

Sara Mason: WELCOME BACK! WELCO…

…yet as she’s preoccupied by mocking both the crowd and the SMWB, Powers burst out of the crowd and hits the ring, making a beeline for Mason even though his vision isn’t 100% and he starts throwing fists to try and protect his partner, managing to knock Mason down as the crowd cheer him on – but his resistance is short-lived as Mariani cuts him off with a blow to the back of the head and quickly dispatches him with Minerva to make sure he stays down

For a moment Mariani merely looks at the wreckage lying around her feet, her lip curled with outright contempt for the two who looked to lay their hands on the pair at the last show, until she helps Mason back to her feet before requesting her partner hand over the microphone as she looks down upon their victims once more

Erin Mariani: I’m sure that the two of you enjoyed the fleeting moment of recognition you received when you interfered in our entertainment, but now you know the consequences of involving yourselves in what does not concern you. But now you need to accept that because you wanted a few maggots to chant your name at our expense, you will live the remainder of your worthless lives receiving looks of pity, of revulsion, or disgust as people glimpse the disfigured husks of what you once were that will be left when we decide we have finished with you.

Having laid out their intentions very clearly, Mariani and Mason don’t waste as much as a second as they leave the ring, making sure that their first step involves a foot firmly placed on the nearest SMWB and with as much force as they can muster as they literally step over their prey as they leave the ring to a cacophony of boos.

[FGA Office]

The show transitions elsewhere, and to the sight of an apprehensive looking Natalie McKinley stood outside one of the locker rooms. Natalie raises her hand, but just as she is about to knock, she hesitates. Caught in two minds, she glances to either side of her, before then exhaling, and rapping her knuckles on the door. The door swings open abruptly, but shortly - as if the person on the other side was not far from the door. Only showing her face, the doe-like brown eyes of the FGA Pride champion peer up into Natalie’s, and her face rushes through a couple of emotions. Shock, anger, and hurt are the ones that stick out the most.

Natalie McKinley: Ermmm… Hi.

Fujiko’s eyes narrow as she considers her options. She takes in a breath, then moves to slam the door directly in Natalie’s face. However, Natalie is alert enough to stick a hand out, to prevent Fujiko from closing the door on her.

Natalie McKinley: Please, Fujiko. Just hear me out.

She looks at Fujiko with pleading eyes. Fujiko’s narrowed eyes shoot daggers at her, and her lips almost curl into a snarl...but then she acquiesces. She steps directly to her right, so that she is no longer in the way of the door. She tries to look around the taller Natalie, seeing if Evan or Ricky are preparing a sneak attack in the shadows.

Fujiko Mine: In. Quick.

She is firm with the only words she has said thus far. Natalie does as she is told, hurriedly stepping inside the locker room, and then shutting the door behind her.

Natalie McKinley: Listen, Fujiko, I... I've been wanting to speak you since... you know.

Fujiko does not respond verbally, nor does she need to. She is of course well aware what Natalie is referring to, and Natalie knows that.

Natalie McKinley: I wanted to come and speak to you two weeks ago, but I thought you might... well, I thought you would probably react like you just did, or worse, and I can't say I don't deserve that, but... I've been wanting to apologise to you, and I know I could've sent you a message or something, but I wanted to do it in person, face-to-face, and I knew the longer I put it off, the worse it would be, so I decided to bite the bullet and come and find you tonight.

Fujiko’s eyes carefully move from Natalie to the door, and she presses in the button that locks the door.

Fujiko Mine: Don’t want your new friends giving me surprises at this point in my night.

She flashes a terse sneer at Natalie.

Fujiko Mine: So, let me see if I understand. You’ve waited over two weeks to apologise to me...when you, of sound mind...ran down to ringside and attacked Xena...and followed that up by kicking me while I was down, repeatedly?!

She places a hand on her side, remembering the pain she felt.

Fujiko Mine: Do you know how I felt, looking up and seeing your face above me, while you kicked me alongside Evan and Ricky? Do you know how I felt sitting backstage afterwards, knowing that you knew FULL WELL what you were doing?!

She shakes her head.

Fujiko Mine: It’s one thing for you to even come down there and attack Xena. I know you don’t know her, but she’s my friend. But I thought we were friends.

She rolls her eyes.

Fujiko Mine: Poor, naïve me, right? Let me guess: It’s just business, not personal; right?

Natalie lowers her head in shame. She already felt guilty enough as it was, but hearing Fujiko recount what happened four weeks ago only served to amplify those feelings.

Natalie McKinley: No, it's... it's not like that. I...

There is a momentary silence, as Natalie pauses to consider her next words carefully. She takes a deep breath and looks up at Fujiko, staring directly into her eyes.

Natalie McKinley: I can't begin to imagine how you must have felt, and I wish I could go back in time and change what happened - I wish I could stop myself from getting involved. I don't know what I was thinking, I don't know what was going through my head when I... when I did what I did. I'm not going to stand here and try to justify my actions. I don't think I could give you an explanation that either of us would be satisfied with anyway. I just want you to know that I'm sorry, Fujiko - I'm so, so sorry.

Natalie lets out a remorseful sigh. She then closes her eyes, rubbing at them with the tips of her thumb and index finger.

Natalie McKinley: I don't expect you to forgive me, Fujiko - I'm not even sure I expect you to believe me. If you don't want to have anything at all to do with me from now on, I'll understand. If you want to hit me, or if you want to have Xena - wherever she is - do it for you, then fine, go ahead. I just want you to know how much I regret what happened, and that I am genuinely sorry for what I did to you.

The eyes of the Pride champion soften as she listens to Natalie’s statement, but distrust still swirls within her expression. She scoffs, not quite in a malicious way.

Fujiko Mine: What do I need to hit you for? Xena doesn’t need to be involved-

And on cue, XENA emerges from around a corner in Fujiko’s room, a baseball bat over her shoulder.

XENA: But you best believe I was ready to install some of your fucking teeth into my new toy, sweetheart.

Fujiko makes it a point to quickly get between Xena and Natalie. She does not take her eyes off her abuser as she does so.

Fujiko Mine: -But you’re right. You couldn’t give me an explanation I’d be satisfied with. You broke my trust…

Xena places a hand on her friend’s shoulder, then moves her to the side. Fujiko is taken by surprise, apparently this was not part of the plan.

XENA: Forget all that apology bullsh*t. Don’t act like it took guts for you to come here after you moped about on social media for weeks. Like you “understand” the position you put her in. She talks about you like you’re one of the greatest people she’s ever met. I’ve listened to the stories. Damn near sick of ‘em.

Xena bares her teeth at Natalie.

XENA: This one went out of her way to try and justify you helping Evan retain his title at All Star Showdown. We knew...she knew that Evan is dumb enough to want to attack her even though…

She trails off, looking over at Fujiko for a split second. Fujiko looks down, rather than at either of them.

XENA: The point is, she damn near was in love with you, and all it took was a few sweet words from Evan and Ricky to get you to throw all that away. Do you even understand that?! How bad this looks, because of how flippantly you betrayed her?! I won’t even get into Evan trying to justify all this sh*t, what I wanna know is this.

She does not close the gap, doesn’t move, does not take her eyes off of Natalie McKinley in the slightest. The only thing that happens is her knuckles grow white as they tighten around the handle of the bat.

XENA: F**k an apology, what in the hell are you going to do to make it right?!

Natalie opens her mouth to respond, but no sound comes out. Feeling increasingly guilty for her misdeeds, she opens and closes her mouth a few times, looking somewhat like a fish gasping for air, before finally she finds some words.

Natalie McKinley: I don't know. After what I did, I don't know how I can put things right. You said it yourself, I betrayed Fujiko. I don't think doing something like buying her flowers is exactly going to cut it in this instance.

She turns her attention towards Fujiko, again looking directly into her eyes.

Natalie McKinley: You're not the first friend I've made in this sport whose trust I've broken, Fujiko. And All-Star Showdown wasn't the first time I've affected the outcome of a world title match. But I promise you, for what it's worth, that there's no chance of a repeat of what happened four weeks ago. I won’t hurt you again. I wasn't at ringside for the main event two weeks ago, and I won't be there when Ricky challenges you for the Pride Championship - if he wants to take that title from you, he's going to have to do it by himself.

Natalie turns away from Fujiko, to look in the direction of Xena.

Natalie McKinley: As for you, Xena...

She glances quickly at the baseball bat. She then lets out a sigh, and her facial expression - which until now had been an apologetic one - changes, as she almost tries to goad Xena.

Natalie McKinley: If you’re going to hit me, just do it. Don't stand on ceremony.

Xena grins a sinister grin, cocking her head slightly to the left.

XENA: I’ll stand wherever I damn well please. You’re in no position to chastise me, sweetie. Out of the two of us, I am the only one that can say they haven’t betrayed a friendship.

Her grin grows slightly wider, almost looking dangerous. Xena pivots around Natalie, and then pops open the lock on the door. Fujiko grimaces, uncomfortable with things getting out of her hand, but not knowing a better option.

Fujiko Mine: Please leave.

Fujiko says, with remorse and sorrow rather than angry force. She forces herself to look at Natalie in the eye, who responds with a nod.

Natalie McKinley: Okay.

Natalie turns to leave, opening the locker room door, but she stops, and turns back to look at Fujiko once more.

Natalie McKinley: Good luck with your match later.

Not wanting to push her luck, she then exits the room, leaving Fujiko with Xena. The camera focuses on Fujiko’s downtrodden expression as the scene fades.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Our camera opens up on… an eyeball. The sclera of the eye is bloodshot and the pupil twitches as it looks around the lens-- before the camera operator pulls the device away from himself, revealing one half of the Saturnian Connection, Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter, earning a pop from pockets of the audience.

Nando peers into the camera, angling his head as he looks at the lens… through the lens. His long, brown hair is twisted into dreadlocks, tied behind his head. He wears a black tank top which simply reads the word “EVIL”, and finally places the camera on a bench, allowing it to capture a majority of the dressing room in the shot. Nando backs to the center of the room, standing next to the seated Jillian Clay, dressed in all-white wrestling gear. Sitting cross-legged in a folding chair, her hair hangs around her head, obscuring our view of her face, though we can see her eyes are shut.

Nando Fresno: You hear that?

Jillian Clay opens her eyes, letting her head fall back, allowing a few strands of hair to fall out of place, revealing her gaze as she turns toward Nando.

Jillian Clay: Mmm?

Nando Fresno: Sounds like… the unmistakable roar… of the Steel City…

The audience explodes at the mention of Pittsburgh. Nando closes his eyes, seeming to bask in the noise before calmly opening them again, fixing his gaze on the camera.

Nando Fresno: Probably not a sound that Sex & Mercy can appreciate but I imagine it’s one that’ll follow them after we leave the arena. Grating, taunting, joyous cries-- the screams of the Burgh, ringing through their ears on a loop, only growing louder the farther away they drive. Joyous maybe because we prevailed. Joyous maybe because they failed. We’ll see. It’ll remind them of the night they dreamt of the stars, only to be sent emphatically crashing back down to Earth… a grim, flat, black reality.

Nando exhales, looking back at Jillian before straight into the camera in his hands.

Nando Fresno: We crave this.

The lens is fogged over with Nando’s breath as he grows closer to the camera. Seeming to realize it, he closes his lips and takes a step back, smirking.

Nando Fresno: We crave it.

Nando’s eyebrow perks up and he looks past the camera as the door of the dressing room is shoved open with a loud CLANG! out of frame. He blinks in confusion, narrowing his eyes as a feminine shadow moves past him, standing behind the camera. Jillian speaks up behind Nando.

Jillian Clay: Oooh. A visitor.

Nando Fresno: Yeah. Yeah. A visitor…

Nando picks the camera up and turns it around, revealing The New Murder member, Jaelynn Ramsey who seems preoccupied with her surroundings as she checks out Nando and Jillian’s dressing room.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Oooh is right. It doesn’t appear that I’ve interrupted anything of importance.

She says this while looking over at the camera unimpressed by the duo and their set up.

Jaelynn Ramsey: My timing couldn’t have been better. From my return, to making an appearance in your little realm. There’s no need to worry, though. You two are about to become useful.

Nando raises a brow, shooting a look back toward Jillian Clay, who watches Jaelynn Ramsey with an odd curiosity-- though clearly nowhere near as offended as Nando Fresno, who walks closer to Ramsey, holding the camera to his eye, zooming in on the Grappler.

Nando Fresno: “About to become useful”, huh? Tell us more, intruder.

Jillian grips the chair with both hands, leaning forward to look up, curiously, into Jaelynn’s eyes.

Jaelynn Ramsey: You're both friends with a little thorn that likes to prod at my sides, right?

She raises her brows, hinting at Sadie.

Jaelynn Ramsey: It's funny. Nando has this thing for hunting aliens, when he doesn't realize Sad Sadie is most likely one of them! I mean, have you seen her toes before? They look like E.T.’s fingers.

The blonde Utahn shudders at the visual. Jillian continues to look up at Jaelynn, laughing lightly as she leans back, using her fingertips to maintain a grip on the seat of the chair. Nando’s face remains expressionless.

Nando Fresno: Compelling information. Thank you. Was that it?

Jaelynn Ramsey: Mm, not quite.

She says this, walking around the dressing room until she ends up within arm's reach of Nando, who hesitantly focuses the camera on Ramsey.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Sadie, I know you're relying on me to have that short attention span that the older generations tend to pin on us as if we're not doing anything. Hell, we wrestle and move much better than the dinosaurs from the days of black and white television. But this is not the case. Despite taking time off against my will, I haven't forgotten about you, Lowri, and now Marlon wants to lease space in my mind…

A breath.

Jaelynn Ramsey: I'm here with your friends so that they can relay this message to you: watch out. You may feel all kinds of bad with a bat, but that's not going to stop me and my allies.

She looks away from the camera to make her way to the sitting Jillian, leaning in to kiss her on the side of her head.

Jaelynn Ramsey: You guys are adorable.

She steps away, making her way to the door frame. Nando films her until she makes her way out of the room, and focuses the camera on the door until her footsteps audibly fade.

Nando Fresno: Hm.

He turns the camera toward Jillian, who laughs lightly.

Jillian Clay: We’re adorable.

She laughs loudly and leans back in the seat again before Nando turns the camera on himself, looking into the lens with narrowed eyes, standing in complete silence… until our scene abruptly cuts to black.

[FGA Office]

• Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament (First Round) •
Sex & Mercy vs. The Saturnian Connection

The team of Sex & Mercy get the early advantage over The Saturnian Connection by overwhelming Nando Fresno & Jillian Clay with hard strikes. Amira Kassouri hits Fresno with multiple shoots kicks in one corner. Meanwhile, Mercy delivers rights and lefts to the midsection of Clay in the adjacent corner. Sex & Mercy then bring The Saturnian Connection out of their respective corners before shooting them off into the far ropes. When Fresno and Clay return, Sex & Mercy go for clotheslines. But The Saturnian Connection duck and continue to run the ropes. When they return, Clay brings Kassouri down with a running hurricanrana while Clay brings down Mercy with a headscissors takedown! When Mercy returns to her feet, Clay runs over and delivers an overflow arm drag, sending Mercy rolling to the outside! Fresno then whips Kassouri over towards Clay, who brings her down with a low flapjack into the ropes! When Mercy climbs back up onto the apron, Fresno runs over, knocks Mercy back to the floor and lands on Kassouri for a two count!

As the match continues, Fresno knocks Kassouri into the corner with rapid palm strikes and chops to the face and neck. He makes the tag out to Clay, who gets in and gives Kassouri multiple jabs and elbow strikes. After Fresno is tagged back in, the Saturnian Connection send Kassouri into the far corner. Fresno runs over, hits Kassouri with a European Uppercut and then drops down on all fours. Clay then runs across the ring, springboards off Fresno’s back and crashes into Kassouri with a cannonball! Fresno makes the cover, but Kassouri gets her shoulder up at two. Once Clay gets tagged back in, the Saturnian Connection bring Kassouri down with a double arm wringer before transitioning into a double fujiwara armbar! The crowd cheers as Kassouri has a look on anguish on her face. But Mercy is quick to rush in and deliver stomps to Cay and Fresno, breaking up the submission!

In the fourth minute, Kassouri reverses an irish whip, sending Clay towards the far ropes. Once Clay hits the ropes, Mercy yanks down the top rope, sending Clay flipping down and crashing hard to the floor! Kassouri takes advantage of the opening and makes a beeline to her corner to tag in Mercy. While Mercy runs along the apron before delivering a diving elbow drop onto Clay, Kassouri runs across the ring and connects with a dropkick, knocking Fresno off the apron and to the floor! Mercy brings the action back inside and makes the cover, but Clay kicks out at two. An irish whip then shoots Clay off into the far ropes. When Clay returns, Mercy flattens her with a yakuza kick for a two count!

When Kassouri gets tagged back in, Sex & Mercy send Clay off into the far ropes. When she returns, they knock her down with a double dropkick! Kassouri makes the cover, but Clay gets a shoulder up at two. Tag back out to Mercy. Sex & Mercy pull Clay back to her feet before dropping her with a legsweep/spinning heel kick combination! She makes the cover. But Clay just beats the three count by getting her shoulder up. Mercy then sends Clay crashing hard into the corner with an irish whip. After Clay collides with the top turnbuckle sternum-first, she staggers back towards the center of the ring, where Mercy grabs her from behind and brings her down with a Half-Nelson Suplex! She makes the cover. But the cover is broken up by Fresno, who dives in at the last second and lands on Mercy’s back!

Mercy stays in control during the seventh minute. Mercy throws out a Superman Punch. But Clay ducks. When Mercy turns around, Clay lifts her up and drops her with a double knee gutbuster! While Mercy is still down, Clay rolls over to the corner and tags Fresno back in! The crowd cheers as Fresno scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and connects with a diving double foot stomp! He makes the cover, but Mercy gets a shoulder up at two. After an irish whip sends Mercy into the corner, Fresno runs over, connects with a Stinger Splash, lifts her up and brings her out of the corner with a running back suplex! He makes the cover, but again, Mercy gets her shoulder up at two. Fresno then whips Mercy into the far ropes before setting up for an irish whip. When Mercy hits the ropes, Kassouri makes the blind tag! She then comes back and leapfrogs over Fresno. Once Fresno stands up and turns around, Sex & Mercy bring him down with a chop lock/lariat combination! Kassouri makes the cover, but Clay dives over and breaks up the pin at two! Mercy runs back in and hits a high knee to the back, knocking Clay through the ropes and to the floor! Back inside, a double enzuigiri sends Fresno flipping down to the mat. After Kassouri grabs a hold of Fresno’s legs, she turns over into an Inverted Indian Death Lock while Kassouri hits the ropes an delivers repeated Curb Stomps! Once Fresno stops moving, Kassouri release the hold, turns over Fresno and makes the cover for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Sex & Mercy O || Move (7:46) || The Saturnian Connection X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The gentle hum of an air conditioning unit can be heard as the picture begins to slowly fade in. The audience is quickly introduced to the inner confines of a devoid room. It’s only fixtures are two metal chairs, a metal desk, and banker’s lamp. An arm extends forward and turns on the lamp. ASURA and .PAAK’s faces are illuminated by it’s golden rays. Both are adorned with navy blue Japanese police hats.

ASURA: Am I the bad cop or are you the bad cop?

She states, adjusting the hat ever-so-slightly.

ASURA: I don’t think it matters, does it? I think to SHOOTCAMP, they’re going to think we’re nothing but “two tough girls” and pass over us.

The former World Champion giggles.

ASURA: Whatever. Okay, let’s be real for a second because I know everything has been a fantasy with you two for the past few years. I’m ASURA and this is .PAAK. We make up SHINIGAMI, if you don’t know the translations, it means Death Spirits. Now, to refrain from being edgy or whatever, I won’t go into what makes us that. Just let me tell you that this match has turned volatile for you. I know that both of you want to advance to those finals and get some glory, but we’re spoilers. We’re the police. We are the law.

ASURA takes a deeper glance towards the camera. The brim of her hat casts a shadow over her eyes as she leans in to the microphone.

ASURA: And you’re both guilty.

.PAAK: One more so than the other. But both complicit.

.PAAK places her elbows on the table as she leans in towards the camera.

.PAAK: Now Owen, my crusty custard, you’re probably wondering why ASURA and I have been so hung up on your “tough girl persona” comment...

She quickly snaps her fingers.

.PAAK: Let me break it down you so smoothly that even a five year old could understand it. It’s not because we are sensitive or weak. I know wrestlers like to resort to that bullsh*t line; let’s quickly do away with that. It’s not because your words actually got under our skins. ASURA and I? We’ve gone through a lot of hell in our respective lives. It takes more than a couple of Dr. Seuss insults to get us riled up. No—the reason we’re bringing it up again is because it reveals your heart’s thoughts.

The South Korean woman shakes her head.

.PAAK: You can try to hit all the Kyrie Irving crossovers that you’d like. You can purport to be a decent human being in one breath, while claiming to be a badass in another. The fact of the matter is this—you don’t see us as threats.

She solemnly shakes her head.

.PAAK: You see us as beneath you, isn’t that right, Owen?

ASURA laughs.

ASURA: Beneath us? That’s the SHOOTCAMP philosophy. They must be the most promoted, the most touted, the people that everyone wants to see. That’s why you are everywhere. Now, you’ve been in FGA for a minute, and I love that. I love that you stopped moving around everywhere like the cockroach you are. Like my girl here said, you want to call us tough, but dismiss us in the same line, when we’re the ones dismissing you. We’re arresting and charging you with the death penalty for disrespecting everything we’ve done because we’re not in the SHOOTCAMP version. We’re not honorable. We’re killers by nature and we come to judge, persecute, and execute.

She sucks her teeth, obviously disappointed with a point brought to her head.

ASURA: You know what, Owen? I feel bad for Tyler. I feel bad because he was actually the one trying to save your ass, but he doesn’t know about being guilty by association. The moment you decided to try to sabotage us because you thought that it was your story to tell is the moment that you pulled the trigger on your own temple. But don’t worry. We’re the bullet inside the chamber. We’re the gunpowder blasting the lead through. We’re the shot that puts your brains all over the walls. That’s why we’re SHINIGAMI. .PAAK and I are the ones that deal with the stupid and drag them off to the underworld. Just a damn shame that we gotta bring one of the good ones, or so he seems. He could be talkin’ mess about us from behind the screen, a DM warrior if you can understand me.

ASURA pats against .PAAK’s arm with her elbow.

ASURA: And before you try to refute us and our future success, you need to remember that we’re one and zero against SHOOTCAMP already. My dangerous sister here already stomped your ass out, Owen, or is your revisionist bullsh*t preventing you from remembering that? Nah, we call that a concussion, but it’s about to turn into a full-blown aneurysm. You won’t have to worry about trying to remember a thing or worry about the duality that is the bullshit you put faith in. Your self-glorifying religion comes to an end and you’re going to leave Ace all by himself. Poor little tink-tink.

Feigning remorse for only a second, ASURA only allows it to stay for a blink.

ASURA: SHOOTCAMP is no more after tonight.

The aggressive girl tips her hat.

ASURA: But if you’re good little bastards, we’ll let you go out with some dignity. When I tell you both to look at the flowers, get on your hands and knees. We’ll make it quick, but y’all damn well know that it’s going to be painful.

.PAAK waits a second before she speaks.

.PAAK: You know what’s funny, darlings? This match could have been nice and simple. It could have been clean-cut and down the middle. But now? Now it’s got to get violent. More violent than our little tussle at In Your House Ruckus Twenty-Six, Owen. More violent than your last DDT outing…

Her words trail off. A small smirk then comes to her face.

.PAAK: Tyler, sweetie, I hope you’ll blame the right person when you’re flying home sore and sorrowful. Not the two of us seated here. No. Turn all that rage and hurt towards the man who truly wronged you. Turn them towards the man who overdrafted on Twitter and endorsed a check that neither of you could cash.

She nods.

.PAAK: And if by some miracle you’ll able to recover after this bout, maybe you’ll learn to pick those friends a bit more carefully, darling.

.PAAK gives a wink. The camera fades out shortly.

[FGA Office]

Our cameras cut to the backstage area, following a still-dejected-looking Evan Envi. The audience boos the FGA World Champion wholeheartedly. Evan sighs, leaning against the wall in the long corridor he’s traveling down, rubbing at his eyes for a moment.

Evan Envi: “Lumberjack match.” Ridiculous. What is this, a circus? God…

He groans aloud and pushes himself off the wall, continuing to walk down the hall. He turns, prepared to walk right into the dressing room marked “GOOD GUYS”, but he stops as something in his peripheral catches his interest. Evan’s eyes widen in excitement and he half-walks, half-jogs down the corridor.

Evan Envi: Hey! Hey, wait up!

The cameras follow the Chief as he catches up to the person in question… and panning out, a wide shot reveals Sadie San Francisco, walking down the same corridor as the Chief, earning a roar from the audience. Sadie narrows her eyes a bit at Envi, but comes to a stop as he holds out his arms, a broad smile on his face.

Evan Envi: Holy-- the fourth member of the Good Guys, live and in the flesh! Where have you been?!

The audience audibly groans at the insinuation. Sadie simply raises a brow at the FGA World Champion, not quick to offer any type of response.

Evan Envi: I was telling Ricky and Natalie about how it was only a matter of time before we saw you back. I know Jae roughed you up pretty bad and caused you to miss out on All-Star Showdown and you came back with all this fire, all this energy, ready to go, back in the saddle again, yussss! Look at you. Lookin’ good, Sadie. You’ve been in the gym just murderin’, haven’t you?

Sadie blinks a few times and opens her mouth to respond, but Envi holds up both hands, an apologetic look coming over his face.

Evan Envi: My bad. My bad. You’ve got your comeback match against Fenrys to get ready for and I’m just out here smothering you. I’m sorry. We should-- we should catch up after the show, alright?

Envi smiles at Sadie and begins to walk past her. Sadie shakes her head a little and begins to continue her trek down the corridor-- but Envi pivots and turns around to look at her again.

Evan Envi: OH. Oh. And…

He holds up a finger, remembering a point. Sadie rolls her eyes a bit, but is able to mask it before she turns to stand face-to-face with her former Camp Envi stablemate.

Evan Envi: New Murder… that’s a uh… that’s a pretty formidable crew. I wouldn’t wanna go up against Fenrys one-on-one, y’know? Not with all of them just-- just out there, lurking, waiting. Know what I mean? Like… if you just ask for it, I have your back. The Good Guys are always there for each other.

Sadie raises a brow again as the crowd boos at the insinuation once more. With the slight shake of her head, she responds in a quiet voice.

Sadie San Francisco: I appreciate that.

There are an awkward few seconds between the two before Sadie slowly points behind her with a thumb.

Sadie San Francisco: Mmmkay. I’m gonna go.

Evan Envi: Sure, sure!

Sadie nods and turns, beginning to walk away, making it two full steps before--

Evan Envi: OHHH. And uh… Sadie!

Sadie closes her eyes in frustration, stifling a sigh before turning her head toward Envi with an arched brow, waiting for him to continue as he takes a few steps to catch up to her.

Evan Envi: Just-- not sure if you heard but um… James Page found some way to get himself booked in a Lumberjack match at Capital Combat. And normally, I’m not the kind of guy to worry about something like that, especially since Richard and Nat BASICALLY have the strength of ten men and they’ve got my back, haha, but like-- I mean, just in case the playing field isn’t totally even, I just wanted to remind yooouuu that despite all that stuff with Neon which was SOOO LONG AGO BY THE WAY, I’ve always, always held you in high regard. You were always a close, personal friend and if I ever abused that in any way… I just wanted to take the time out to apologize. And I hope that we can still mend this bridge, Sadie.

For emphasis, Envi takes Sadie’s hand in both of his, prompting the former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion to raise a brow, a look of amusement crossing her face. She smiles faintly and seems to give Evan an up-nod, which brings a smile to the Chief’s face, until he realizes her gaze has drifted past him, toward the owner of the footsteps approaching the Chief from behind.

Sadie San Francisco: What’s up, Jimmy?

The crowd cheers as Page enters the scene. Envi spots him from the corner of his eye, completely freezing. Jimmy puts a hand on both the shoulders of Envi and Sadie. Page looks in Envi’s face, scanning it. He smirks at Sadie and up-nods back in her direction.

Jimmy Page: I ran out of snacks in the GM office, there’s a vending machine around here somewhere I don’t--

Page looks left to right and looks back at Envi.

Jimmy Page: You got change for a fiver?

There was a pause, Envi is visibly seething, Sadie is visibly chuckling under her breath. She stifles it however when Envi darts his head towards her. She calmly waves a hand down over her face to compose herself.

Jimmy Page: Ah, whatever, I’ll ask one of the staff. Anyway, I just wanted to remind you that you don’t got a friend in the world who’d want to get involved in our little uh, “disagreement”, soooo if I were you…

Page grips Envi’s shoulder tightly and leans into his face.

Jimmy Page: I’d stop while I’m ahead.

A somber expression comes over his face, Evan gulps slightly and tries his best not to make eye contact. Jimmy turns back to Sadie and smile.

Jimmy Page: Good see you again Sadie…

He pats Sadie on the shoulder, but gives Envi a rough smack on the back which jerks him forward. Evan’s eyes cut to the side as he listens to Page leave. Sadie stands there, her arms folded, looking toward the ground with a smirk on her face before she raises her eyes toward Envi, giving him a small wince.

Evan Envi: I—

Sadie San Francisco: Nnnnn…

Evan Envi: Jus—

Sadie San Francisco: ...nooooo…

Envi sighs and rubs at his eyes. He points a finger at Sadie, trying to think of something to say… but it never comes. He groans loudly and sulks past her, out of frame while Sadie rolls her eyes. As she stands alone in the corridor, her expression soon grows serious, remembering the task ahead as we fade away.

---

• Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament (First Round) •
Tommy & The Guns vs. The Sweet, Sweet World of Jimmy Sprinklez

The match starts with Jimmy Sprinklez and Sherbet waving creepily to the rowd. They the turn and embrace with a hug. After a few seconds, neither let go. Sprinklez and Sherbet continue to keep holding each other in the center of the ring while Tommy Evans and Aurora look on. Evans looks to start things off for Tommy & the Guns. “Suicidal” Evans continues to circle the ring while Sprinklez and Sherbet are still hugging each other. At this point, even the ref has had enough. The ref heads over to break it up. But Sprinklez & Sherbet end up pulling him into a friendly hug! Evans sighs as he heads over to break it up. Instead of getting pulled into a hug, Sprinklez & Sherbet each kick him in the midsection! After they each wrench an arm, they shoot him into the far ropes. When Evans returns, Sprinklez & Sherbet set up for a double back body drop. But Evans stops and delivers a kick to Sherbet. The kick knocks Sherbet down to the mat. When Sprinklez stands up, Evans knocks him down with a Rolling Koppu Kick for a two count. Sprinklez is then sent off into the ropes. As soon as Sprinklez bounces off the ropes, Evans darts over and connects with a bicycle kick, knocking Sprinklez through the ropes and to the floor! He then takes Sherbet, runs and throws her over the top rope and to the floor. Evans runs back across the ring and leaps over the top rope, knocking Sprinklez down with a suicide plancha! He rolls back in, runs across the ring, leaps through the ropes and knocks Sherbet down with an elbow suicida! Evans marches around ringside, picks up Sprinklez and rolls him back inside for the cover. But Sprinklez kicks out at two.

Evans makes the tag out to Aurora, who gets in and whips Sprinklez into the ropes. When he returns, he sees Aurora run past him. So he slams on the brakes. When he turns around, Aurora runs at him before making a beeline to her right and running into another set of ropes. When Aurora returns, Sprinklez throws out a clothesline. But Aurora ducks before continuing to run the ropes. When she returns, Sprinklez throws out a back elbow. But again, Aurora ducks before running the ropes. When she returns, Sprinklez drops down to a prone position to try and trip Aurora up. But she hops over him before continuing to run the ropes. When Aurora returns, Sprinklez pops up and sets up for a back body drop. But Aurora hurdles over him before continuing to run the ropes. When Aurora returns, she sees Sprinklez run past her into the ropes. Instead of stopping, she runs into the far ropes. When both grapplers return to the center of the ring, Sprinklez throws out a running clothesline. But Aurora ducks before heading back into the ropes. When Aurora comes back, she brings Sprinklez down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors! A pair of dropkicks knock the masked man back down to the canvas. She then grabs a hold of Sprinklez before whipping him into the corner. Aurora then runs over towards the corner, hops on Sprinklez and sends him flying out of the corner with a monkey flip for another two count. An irish whip sends Sprinklez back into the ropes. When he returns, he goes for a spinning headscissors takedown. But Aurora is able to cartwheel out of it. Once Sprinklez gets back to his feet, Aurora rushes over and brings him down with a hurricanrana for another two count.

In the sixth minute, Aurora hits Sprinklez with multiple knife edge chops before tagging Evans back in. Once Evans gets in, he takes Sprinklez and goes for an irish whip. But Sprinklez reverses. When Evans hits the ropes, he gets a kick to the lower back from Sherbet. When Evans turns to Sherbet, she clasps her hands together and pleads for Evans not to attack her. As Evans motions towards her, Sprinklez grabs him from behind and brings him down with a backdrop suplex! While Evans holds the back of his head with both hands, Sprinklez turns to the audience and says, "Goodness me, boys and girls, that looked painful, didn't it!?" Sprinklez picks up Evans and brings him down with an atomic drop followed by a side russian leg sweep for a two count. After delivering a snap suplex, Sprinklez heads over and tags in Sherbet. He heads back over to Evans and holds up his legs. After spreading them apart, he turns to the audience and says "Do try this at home, children!" Sherbet scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and delivers the Sugar Crash (diving headbutt to the crotch)! Sherbet makes the cover, but Evans gets his shoulder up at two. Sprinklez is tagged back in. While Evans is slow to get back to his feet, Sprinklez and Sherbet lock hands and do the ring-around-the-rosie dance around him. Sherbet then quickly delivers an atomic drop to Evans, followed by a spinning heel kick from Sprinklez that knocks him down. He makes the cover, but Evans gets his shoulder up.

While Evans is still down, Sprinklez gestures to him while addressing the crowd. "Now girls and boys, this next move is called a 'dragon sleeper'." Sprinklez lifts up Evans into a seated position before slipping on the Dragon Sleeper. The ref asks Evans if he wants to give up, but he refuses. So Sprinklez arches his back as he cinches in the hold. After keeping the hold applied for a good ten seconds, Sprinklez lets go to address the crowd once more. "There you have it, kids, that's how you do a dragon sleeper! Easy as pie. If you want to practice it yourself, send me all your lovely pictures at the usual address." He then steps out onto the apron and goes for The Ice Cream Man Cometh (slingshot springboard senton bomb). But Evans rolls out of the way, causing Sprinklez to crash back-first onto the canvas! Evans dives over and tags Aurora back in.

Sprinklez tries to crawl to his corner. But Aurora grabs him by the ankle, drags him back towards the center of the ring and follows up with an elbow drop for a two count. Sprinklez reverses an irish whip, sending Aurora into the ropes. When she returns, she ducks a clotheslines and counters with a floatover DDT for a two count! She then sends Sprinklez into the corner with an irish whip. Aurora rushes in to follow up with an attack when Sprinklez catches her with a back elbow to the face. As Aurora stumbles back, Sprinklez steps out onto the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top, Aurora dives over and yanks down the top rope. Sprinklez quickly loses his balance, slips and ends up crotched on the top turnbuckle! While Sprinklez howls in pain through his mask, Aurora goes to climb the ropes. But she’s stopped by Sherbet, who quickly waddles her way across the ring and grabs a hold of Aurora’s leg. Aurora shaks Sherbet off of her before delivering a back kick to her large mask, causing Sherbet to lose her balance and fall to the mat. When Aurora turns back to Sprinklez, he shoves her down to the mat. Sprinklez then stands up on the top turnbuckle, jumps off and knocks her back down with a missile dropkick for a two count!

Sprinklez makes the tag out to Sherbet in the ninth minute. After Sprinklez throws Aurora down with a scoop slam, Sherbet heads into the ropes, comes back and hopscotches across the ring before ending with a double foot stomp on Aurora for a two count. Tag back out to Sprinklez, who gets in and applies an abdominal stretch. Sherbet takes advantage of the opening and uses her large mask to her advantage to headbutt Aurora in the ribs. Sherbet then gets tagged back in. Once she steps back in, Sherbet and Sprinklez give Aurora the Sweet, Sweet Hug Party (alternating bear hugs, throwing the opponent between them each time). While Sprinklez delivers the last bear hug, Aurora breaks it up with a bell clap to the ears! Sherbet waddles over towards Aurora, but she knocks Sherbet back with a knife edge chop. She turns back to Sprinklez and nails him with a forearm to the face. She then turns back to Sherbet and knocks her own with a front kick to the head. Before Aurora can turn back around, Sprinklez grabs her from behind and places her in A Special Treat Before Bedtime (sleeper, while singing lullabies). But Aurora reaches back, grabs a hold of the cone on the chin of Sprinklez’s mask and pulls him down into a seated jawbreaker! Sprinklez stumbles back a few steps. He then comes to a complete stop before flopping face-first to the mat.

Evans can be seen in his corner reaching out for the tag. Meanwhile, Sherbet climbs back up onto the apron before trying to wave Sprinklez into their corner. Sprinklez slowly turns over on all fours and begins to crawl. Aurora turns over and sees Sprinklez close to tagging out. So she gets to her feet, runs over, springboards off of Sprinklez’s back and dropkicks Sherbet off the apron. She then takes Sprinklez, slams him face-first onto the top turnbuckle, climbs up onto the middle ropes and plants him with a Tornado DDT! While Sprinklez is still down, Aurora goes back into the corner and goes for the Haunted Revolution (split-legged corkscrew moonsault). But Sprinklez gets his knees up! Aurora bounces off of Sprinklez’s knees before curling up on the mat. After she struggles to get back to a vertical base, Sprinklez runs over and throws out the Soft Serve (jumping overhand strike). But Aurora slips out of the way and counters with the Reversal of Fortune (reverse hurricanrana)! Aurora then dives over and makes the tag out to Evans.

Evans gets in and hits Sprinklez with a running Shooting Star Press! ONE! TWO! T-NO! Sprinklez gets his shoulder up. Evans then shoots Sprinklez off into the ropes. When Sprinklez returns, Evans brings him down with a hurricanrana. He reaches back and hooks a leg for the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Sprinklez kicks out. Evans picks up Sprinklez and sets him up for a DDT. But Sprinklez grabs him by the arm, rolls out and counters with a headbutt. He then takes Evans and whips him into the ropes. When Evans returns, he sees Sprinklez setting up for a back body drop. So he stops, grabs Sprinklez ad plants him with an implant DDT! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Sprinklez gets his shoulder up. Evans picks Sprinklez back up before delivering the Hosticide (Gory Special)! He then takes Sprinklez and drags him into position. Evans then steps out onto the apron and climbs to the top turnbuckle. He leaps off the top. But Sherbet reaches in and pulls Sprinklez out onto the apron. Once Evans lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. Once Evans gets back to his feet, he turns and runs over to the ropes. But Sprinklez doubles him over with a shoulder thrust. He then follows up with a sunset flip. Evans swings his arms wildly. Once he regains his balance, he follows up with the Omnicide (double foot stomp)! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! Sherbet breaks up the pin.

Aurora rushes in and goes to work on Sherbet. An irish whip sends The World’s Sweetest Frog into the ropes. When Sherbet reaches, Aurora tackles her down with a spear! In the opposite corner, Evans nails Sprinklez with multiple shoot kicks to the midsection. Tommy & The Guns then take Sprinklez & Sherbet and whip them into the far ropes. When they return, they see Tommy & The Guns setting up for a double back body drop. So they stop and counter with a mat slam. Sherbet then takes Aurora and moves her into one corner while Sprinklez moves Evans into the other. After attacking their opponents with chops, Sprinklez and Sherbet run towards opposite corners and connect with corner splash! Sprinklez and Sherbet then head back towards the center of the ring, lock arms and dosey-do in the middle of the ring before running back towards their opponents and connecting with another corner splash! After Sherbet takes Aurora and tosses her through the ropes and to the floor, Sprinklez whips Evans back over towards her. Sherbet doubles Evans over before bringing him down with the Peppermint Twist (Twist of Fate)! Sprinklez then heads to the top before crashing down on Evans with the Screwball (corkscrew diving cannonball)! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THREE!

Tommy and The Guns X || Screwball (15:26) || The Sweet, Sweet World of Jimmy Sprinklez O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Marlon Cure: Hold it up a lil' higher - nah, right /there/.

Keiko: Hai, hai.

The camera opens back up to the sight of the New Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion Marlon Cure and his assistant/driver, Keiko, backstage. Keiko is holding up "King Cure's" Newly Won Championship for him as he uses it as a mirror of sorts as he readjusts the black and gold crown adorning his head. The flashy high flyer's ego has been over the moon since winning the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title from Lowri Moss, if at all possible. It seems that not even the prospect of having three more wrestlers gunning for the title he just won has done anything to put a damper on his arrogance.

Cure tilts his crown ever so slightly, leaving it a bit crooked on top of his head before giving a small nod of approval.

Marlon Cure: Difference between me and any other motherf*cker out here. They what they gotta teach themselves how to do, come easily to me.

Keiko hands Cure the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship and he places it around his waist, completing the image. He's ready to go out to center stage and do what he does best as the cameraman finally walks up towards him.

Cameraman: Marlon! Got a minute to --

Cure holds up a hand, turning towards the camera with a sneer.

Marlon Cure: No, no I don't got a minute. My time is money to be made and more acclaim to bring to my name, and right now you wasting it by being here. I got a match in a few to give the people who so call themselves taking aim at myself and the gold around my waist, teaming with one of them while the other two can only make do and try to keep up with me. But since nobody bothered to let them know? Lemme give them a little info, from champion to the uninitiated.

Marlon Cure motions for the camera man to come in a little closer.

Marlon Cure: There's no keepin' up with me. In that ring? Nobody can do it better. Nobody can soar through the sky better than your favorite junior and cruiserweights with the greatest of ease imaginable, then have the skills to go tit for tat, hold for hold against anybody that wanna try and out grapple me. It can be 3 people gunning for my spot that wouldn't be in the conversation if I didn't decide to give the entire roster the chance to get their shine on, it can be the alleged "best" wrestlers on the roster, the ones. It can be Piper Lemon, Susan Kent, or Martial Law... my bad. Bryan Law. It can be whoever, whenever. This title right here?

Cure pats the face plate of the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship, drumming his fingers along the name plate.

Marlon Cure: Isn't leaving my waist til' I decide I wanna make another title THEE Championship for The Big Green Brand. And I welcome any and everybody to try and test me on that.

With that, Cure pulls out his signature cigar and places it between his lips, walking away from the camera as he lights up in preparation for the ordeal of teaming with one of his possible challengers, and the tag team match that lies ahead.

[FGA Office]

• Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament (First Round) •
Shootcamp vs. SHINIGAMI

Gonsalves and .PAAK start things off for their respective squads. .PAAK tries to stay out of arm's reach for Gonsalves as he tries to close the distance and turn this into a grappling contest. Gonsalves continues to try and grab a hold of .PAAK. Once he does, .PAAK takes her free arm and hits him in the face with a forearm strike. Alternating palm strikes to the chest soon follow, followed by a rolling solebutt that doubles Gonsalves over. She then grabs a hold of Gonsalves by the back of the neck and hits him with rapid kicks to the face. While Gonsalves is still doubled over, .PAAK turns and runs into the ropes. When she returns, a running forearm strike to the head knocks Gonsalves down to a knee. .PAAK then takes off into another set of ropes. When she returns, she flattens Gonsalves with a grounded big boot for a two count!

.PAAK stays in control as she brings the action into the corner. A flurry of forearm strikes send Gonsalves slumping down in the corner. After performing a tiro of facewashes, .PAAK takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, she blasts Gonsalves across the face with a running boot. She goes for the cover, but Gonsalves gets his foot on the bottom rope. Gonsalves is then brought back to his feet, where he gets overwhelmed with another flurry of strikes. While The Submission Alchemist is dazed, .PAAK turns and takes off into the ropes. When she returns, she goes to take Gonsalves’ head off with a running big boot. But Gonsalves counters with a Capture Suplex! Gonsalves pulls .PAAK back up and applies a sleeper from behind. He tries for a Sleeper Suplex. But .PAAK takes him by the arm and throws he down in front of him with a Judo Throw. As Gonsalves gets back to his feet, .PAAK rushes over to attack. But she gets caught with a jumping knee strike that knocks her down. An irish whip then sends her into the Shootcamp corner. Tyler Storm moves out of the way as Gonsalves rushes in with hopes of a European Uppercut. But .PAAK knocks him back with a boot to the face. After a back elbow catches Storm across the jaw, .PAAK runs out of the corner to attack Gonsalves. But Gonsalves counters with a bridging northern lights suplex. He then floats over, pulls .PAAK back up, delivers a double leg pickup, runs towards the corner and rams her back-first into the turnbuckles. Gonsalves steps back towards the center of the ring while .PAAK slumps down in the corner. He then runs back over towards the Shootcamp corner before connecting with a Cannonball Senton!

A tag is made out to Storm in the fifth minute. Storm hits .PAAK with knife edge chops in the corner until .PAAK takes Storm, switches positions him with in the corner and nails him with a barrage of forearm strikes. Storm comes back by shoving .PAAK back to create distance before knocking her down with a European Uppercut. Another European Uppercut returns .PAAK to the mat. He then goes for an irish whip, but .PAAK reverses. When Storm returns, he throws out a bicycle kick. But .PAAK catches his foot before knocking him off his feet with a legsweep. The tag is then made out to ASURA. As Storm returns to his feet, ASURA scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and knocks him down with a diving knee attack for a two count! She then goes for an irish whip, but Storm reverses, sending ASURA into the corner. As Storm approaches, ASURA bounces out of the corner and knocks him back with a running forearm strike to the face. She then blasts Storm with another forearm strike that rocks him. After grabbing Storm by the back of his neck with her left arm, ASURA pulls Storm into a flurry of forearm strikes. While Storm is rocked, ASURA turns and takes off into the far ropes. When ASURA returns, Storm flattens he!r with a bicycle kick for a two count.

Storm brings the action into the corner and delivers knife edge chops. After sending ASURA into the far corner with an irish whp, Storm runs over to attack. But ASURA counters with a boot to the face that turns him around. ASURA quickly takes advantage of Storm’s positioning by turning to face the ropes, springboarding to the top turnbuckle, flipping back and driving him down with a Moonsault DDT! She makes the cover, but Gonsalves dives over and breaks up the pin! While Gonsalves is heading back to his corner, .PAAK connects with a running front dropkick to the back, sending Gonsalves through the ropes and to the floor. Back in the ring, ASURA pulls Storm up to a seated position before delivering a soccer kick to the lower back. She then takes off into the far ropes. When ASURA returns, she flattens Storm with a sliding clothesline for a two count. She then pulls Storm up onto a knee before hitting him with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. After running into the far ropes, ASURA comes back and clocks Storm with a Shining Wizard to the back of the head. She makes the cover, but Storm gets his shoulder up at two.

SHINIGAMI stays in control during the eighth minute as .PAAK is tagged back in. ASURA then takes Storm and whips him over towards the corner as .PAAK leaps off and knocks him down with a Shotgun Dropkick off the top turnbuckle! She makes the cover, but Storm gets his shoulder up at two. .PAAK pulls Storm back to his feet. She cracks him with a forearm strike before dropping him to the mat with a roundhouse kick. .PAAK bounces into the ropes, returns and connects with a running senton for another two count. She then takes Storm and whips him into the far corner. .PAAK runs over and follows up with a running forearm strike. After Storm is whipped into the opposite corner, .PAAK runs across the ring and goes for a running hip attack. But Storm catches her in mid. Storm walks out of the corner with .PAAK held up before throwing her down with a Blue Thunder Bomb! The ref slides into place for the count, but .PAAK gets a shoulder up at two. Storm then shoots .PAAK off into the far ropes. When she returns, she sees Storm setting up for a back body drop. So she stops and kicks him square in the face. After Storm is knocked upright, .PAAK throws out another roundhouse kick. This time, Storm ducks and counters with a Backdrop Driver!

Storm makes the tag out to Gonsalves in the tenth minute. The Submission Alchemist runs over and drives .PAAK down with the Draco Meteor (Meteora) for a two count! An irish whip is reversed, sending Gonsalves towards the ropes. But Gonsalves the momentum to his advantage and comes back with a Sky Uppercut (springboard corkscrew European Uppercut) for another two count! Another irish whip gets reversed, sending Gonsalves into the turnbuckles. .PAAK rushes in to attack, but Gonsalves turns her around with a boot to the face. Gonsalves quickly takes advantage of .PAAK’s position and follows up with a Sleeper Suplex into the turnbuckles! He makes the cover, but .PAAK gets her foot on the bottom rope at two. Gonsalves then sets up for a Death Valley Driver. But .PAAK counters with multiple elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, .PAAK turns and runs into the ropes, where ASURA makes the blind tag. When .PAAK returns, she slides through Gonsalves’ legs. When Gonsalves turns around, .PAAK blasts him with a roundhouse kick. After Gonsalves gets turned around by the kick, ASURA brings him down with a Springboard Blockbuster! She makes the cover, but Gonsalves gets his shoulder up at two. ASURA then goes for a Curb Stomp. But Gonsalves catches her across his shoulders and brings her down with a Death Valley Driver for a two count!

Gonsalves pulls ASURA back up and delivers alternating shoot kicks to the chest and hamstring. After the last shoot kick to the leg drops ASURA down to a knee, Gonsalves runs into the ropes, returns and flattens her with the Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike (running bicycle knee strike) for another two count! Gonsalves pulls ASURA up from behind before knocking her down with the Darkest Lariat (wristlock short-arm lariat)! He then sets up for the Final Gambit (double underhook piledriver). But ASURA breaks free, pulls Gonsalves into the mat with a double leg takedown and counters with a catapult into a roundhouse kick from .PAAK. When Gonsalves gets turned around by the kick from .PAAK, he gets knocked down by ASURA with the Cero Oscuras (spinning back heel kick)! .PAAK runs across the ring and cuts off Storm with a running forearm strike as she makes the cover and gets the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Shootcamp X || Cero Oscuras (12:59) || SHINIGAMI O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The show returns from commercial to The New Murder locker room, where Dom Harter and Annie Zellor can be seen seated on a black leather sofa - apparently living at the height of luxury tonight! Fenrys is nearby, psyching himself up for his upcoming match against Sadie San Francisco with the help of former Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion, Jaelynn Ramsey.

Dom Harter: After last time, we can’t let Sadie think she can get away with that kind of thing. She ruined our moment, she stole our opportunity! All of our problems could be solved right now, if not for her.

Annie Zellor: All except Malcolm Drake…

The mention of the name causes Dom’s mood to sour. He scoffs and shakes his head as the other members, Fenrys and Jae, stop what they’re doing to look over at The Tenacious Little Bastard.

Dom Harter: Don’t look at me like that. We did what we needed to do, it’s not my fault he’s too dumb to know when he’s done.

It’s then, through some miraculous timing, that the locker room door swings open to reveal a refreshed Crimson Baroness standing there with a smile on her face. Annie jumps up off the sofa and runs across to greet her best friend, having not seen her for two weeks while TCB and Bond were vacationing in Iceland.

The Crimson Baroness: Hello, sweetie…

Annie Zellor: Welcome back! Ok, later you’ve gotta tell me all about it and everything you two did.

Dom Harter: But right now we have pressing matters to deal with.

The Crimson Baroness: I’ll tell you everything, and I’m sure Fenrys is busy preparing for what’s to come later tonight.

The masked man nods enthusiastically.

Fenrys: I’m--

The Crimson Baroness: And you two have sent a message to Pendragon already. Marlon Cure has his challengers scrambling for a shot ahead of our own dear Jaelynn. And that just leaves one more problem...

Fenrys stands there dumbfounded at having been cut off again, as Jaelynn comforts him with a pat on the head. TCB turns to Dom, waiting for his response.

Dom Harter: Does that mean we’ll be seeing Chris tonight?

Chris Bond You will…

The voice comes from the doorway, where a slightly more toned Chris Bond is standing. Wearing a New Murder t-shirt, the Battle Hardened Veteran looks almost rejuvenated compared to the last time we saw him; the bags gone from under his eyes, his skin a more natural tan, although his five o’clock shadow is still prevalent.

Dom Harter: Look who finally turned up...

Chris Bond It’s nice to see you too, Dom.

Harter rises from his seat on the sofa to stand face to face with old rival turned friend. The pair have hardly seen each other since the weekend of All Star Showdown and Glory Road, when Chris battled against Malcolm Drake in that brutal dog collar match. The other four members of The New Murder stand in the background, staring at the two men.

Dom Harter: I was beginning to worry that the rumors might be true. But you managed to crawl out of bed long enough to go to Iceland…

Chris Bond Is that what you think, Dom? You think I’ve been laying in bed, starving myself because I couldn’t beat Malcolm Drake?

The Crimson Baroness: No...

Chris Bond I’ve been training, harder than I was before. That night, at Glory Road, when Drake choked me out, I realized that maybe Malcolm Drake was more myth than man. But last time, when he stood in that ring and called me a coward...when he was testing his hypothesis...and you rose to the bait?

Bond clasps a hand on the shoulder of The Tenacious Little Bastard.

Chris Bond I appreciate you having my back, Dom. All of you. But I need you to listen right now. This is my fight. He’s my opponent now, not yours. And when you all went out there and tried to beat him down, when you pummelled him? All you did was strengthen his resolve. All you did was make him stronger. So can you do me a favor, Dom?

Dom Harter: Of course.

Chris Bond I need you to stay out of this. I need for the New Murder to leave him alone.

He says, stoically. The rest of The New Murder nod, as if they’re agreeing to the terms. But it’s Dom who remains silent, staring across at Bond opposite him as The Battle Hardened Veteran removes his hand from Dom’s shoulder.

Chris Bond I need to finish this. I need to go against Malcolm Drake by myself. That night, with the dog collar… he stole a piece of me! And that pains me. That hurts more than anything I’ve been through in my life, Dom. But I’ve picked myself up, I’ve rebuilt what was left of me. And I’ve spent the last few weeks intensively training, trying to find that piece he stole from me. And frankly, I feel better than ever right now. I’m in the best shape of my life…

Bond pauses.

Chris Bond But I need to do this alone, Dom. No more run-ins, no more beat downs. I need to end Malcolm Drake by myself.

On that note, the scene comes to an end as Bond and Harter continue staring at each other in silence, leaving us all unsure of what Dom’s answer is as the show cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

• Singles Match •
Ricky Valero vs. Aria Eckhart

Eckhart gets the better of the veteran Valero early on by outwresting him with the basics. A side headlock, turns into a hammerlock from behind. After Valero is spun around, Eckhart throws him down to the mat with a side headlock takeover. Valero reverses into a headscissors. But Eckhart’s able to escape kia a kip up. When Valero scrambles back to a vertical base, the crowd erupts when Eckhart catches him in a front facelock. She’s got Valero set up for the EDT (DDT)! But before she can fall back and plant Valero head-first onto the canvas, Valero slips out and shoves Eckhart away from him. As The Darling approaches, Valero throws out a superkick. But Eckhart catches his foot, swings his leg away from her and follows up with a schoolboy for a two count.

Eckhart continues to get the better of Valero on the feet as she knocks him back with repeated backhand chops. He’s then sent into the far ropes with an irish whip. When Valero returns, he sees Eckhart set up for a back body drop. So he stops and knocks Eckhart down with multiple clubbing strikes to the back. He pulls Eckhart back up and points into the corner. Valero lifts Eckhart up onto his shoulders and runs across the ring for a turnbuckle powerbomb. But Eckhart’s able to counter with a hurricanrana. Once Valero gets back to his feet, Eckhart delivers an arm wrench, followed by a legsweep. She then hits an elbow drop for a two count.

Valero finally regains control in the fourth minute. When an irish whip reversal sends Eckhart into the ropes, Valero catches her off the rebound with an overhead belly to belly suplex for a two count. After bringing Eckhart down with a russian leg sweep, Valero heads into the ropes, returns and hits her with the Leg Drops of Jupiter (rally of consecutive leg drops). He makes the cover, but Eckhart gets her shoulder up. After pulling Eckhart back to her feet, Valero doubles her over with multiple knees to the midsection before bringing her down with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Eckhart tries to make a comeback by hitting Valero with rights and lefts to the midsection. But Valero cuts the comeback off with a dropkick to the knee, which knocks Eckhart down to a knee. Valero follows up by knocking her down with A Shining Wizard for another two count.

In the sixth minute, Valero scales to the top before leaping off for Burying The Hatchet (diving double foot stomp). But Eckhart rolls out of the way. When Valero lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. After Valero rolls back to his feet and turns around, he gets caught off guard by a lariat from Eckhart, knocking him down for a two count. Valero reverses an irish whip, sending Eckhart into the ropes. When she returns, Valero goes for a back body drop. But Eckhart slips down from behind, spins Valero towards her and follows up with a leg hook reverse STO! From there, Eckhart hits Valero with her own rally of consecutive leg drops for a two count. After a spinning back kick doubles Valero over, Eckhart sets up for the EDT when Valero grabs her and runs forward, ramming her back-first into the corner. After pulling Eckhart away from the turnbuckles, Valero lifts her up and delivers a turnbuckle powerbomb! He follows up with a double underhook backbreaker, then the PinnaclePlex (Regal Plex)! Valero pulls Eckhart back to her feet before bringing her down with The Franchise Tag (Cobra Clutch Suplex) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Ricky Valero O || The Franchise Tag (8:02) || Aria Eckhart X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Backstage at the PPG Paints arena, Jessie Pederson is standing in the interview area.

Jessie Pederson: Please welcome my guest at this time Susan Kent.

Dana Wheeler steps into the interview area.

Dana Wheeler: Obviously you were expecting my protege, but she won’t be speaking to you tonight, she’s preparing for her match tonight.

Jessie Pederson: I really wanted to ask her about Vertigo 58 and her match tonight.

Dana Wheeler: Yeah, Vertigo 58, where Susan stood tall against three other people. Well, two people since it was obvious that Piper Lennon didn’t want any part of Susan and decided to hide outside the ring, and everyone saw to the outcome of the match between Piper and Susan, Piper wound up Star Struck.

Jessie Pederson: Okay, tonight Susan is teaming with Bryan Law against Marlon Cure and Piper.

Dana Wheeler: Yeah, something ain’t it. Susan teaming with a guy she beat up two weeks ago, against a blowhard named Marlon Cure and the chick she beat. Tonight Jessie, Susan’s upward trend continues when she leads her team to victory, and if she pins Marlon then that should guarantee her a title match don’t you think?

Jessie Pederson: Unfortunately I don’t make the matches.

Dana Wheeler: Well whoever is running the show will be an idiot to not give her a title match after tonight, Susan is the biggest rising star in this company, two weeks ago she proved and tonight she will prove, just watch and see.