AfterBurn for Flashpoint E29

[FGA Office]

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

[sasso]

Cameras caught up with the former FGA 15 Champion Kendall Kingham getting checked on in the trainer's room, once again battered and beaten after an encounter with Sloan Talbot. It might not have been as brutal a beating as before, but getting put through hell by Talbot after the damage he'd already done to her warranted at least getting looked at. This one was face to face, she at least had a fighting chance in this one, but the result was ultimately the same. As a result, her head was bowed as she was worked on, until the doctor spotted the camera crew and tried to shoo them away. Slowly raising her head, Kingham extended an arm.

Kendall Kingham: Wait, I'll give them a few words.

She winces.

Kendall Kingham: ... I uh, dunno really what to say now that I said that. Like, if you want my thoughts on this, it sucks it's pretty devastating not gonna lie. Went out there gave it my best-- what I thought was my best-- got beat up, had the title taken from me and another early exit from the Cup.

Kendall pauses, biting her lip in frustration.

Kendall Kingham: Guess some people might say I deserved this or I had it coming, that I shouldn't have asked for this match. Which I sort of get, because uh, I'm a little fuzzy in the head right now but far as I remember nobody's been able to stop this dude so far, he's a beast. But would I have done anything different?

She gingerly shakes her head.

Kendall Kingham: Nah, I'd rather say I got my butt kicked standing up for myself than that I ducked a tough challenge after I called for people to step up. That's not what being a Champion's about, it's not what being a part of this show's about. So, yeah you can tell I'm not really as pumped up as I usually am right now. Pretty much everything about what happened tonight sucks, but I will be again.

A beat skips.

Kendall Kingham: I will be back, fighting, trying to light up the Flashpoint Zone because that's what I do. This isn't the end of this story. Tonight I failed, but that's the story of my career. I fail, then I get back up and I keep working until I get the job done. So if I get a rematch once Sloan is free-- I hope I do since I was a fighting Champ but I dunno what Hadley wants-- I'm gonna take it, and I'm gonna show that you can knock me down once, but if you wanna knock me down again, well you might do that too but I'll uh come back and ...

She stops, crinkling her nose as she goes deep in thought, then holds her head-- seemingly trying to get her bearing back.

Kendall Kingham: ... I'm not sure where I was going with that. But point is, I'm not gonna live with regrets, I'm gonna keep pushing forward. I hope that means another shot at him, but if they don't give that to me I'll give what I've got to make the most of whatever that next chance is. Thanks.

With a slightly meek, but still spirited thumbs up, she concludes and the camera feed cuts out.

[James Edwards]

Recorded Earlier

After a meek message from Kendall Kingham, FGA fans want to hear something positive and uplifting. Watching Amanda Johnson chase after an addled James Edwards as he breaks through the curtain separating the arena from backstage is not what they want, and based on the body language of the Burning Heart and the backstage reporter, it is not what either of them would like either.

Amanda Johnson: James! What did we see out there between you and Chandler?

Edwards keeps walking, his way of saying, "No comment." Amanda flips off her high heels and scurries after the number one contender.

Amanda Johnson: Come on, James, the world just watched you deck the International Heavyweight Champion. You were about to kick his head off. The fans want to hear what you have to say about what happened in the ring.

Edwards' lips remain sealed as the pair continue to trek further into the bowels of the venue.

Amanda Johnson: I don't think they blame you for doing it, I certainly don't with the way Chandler has been acting the last few weeks. I'm sure it felt good to pop him--

James Edwards: Y'all are just now noticing what an ass the guy is?

Edwards' sarcastic remark earns him a scornful look from Johnson.

Amanda Johnson: That's not fair, James, especially when you were in the wrong this summer in the way you dealt with him and the rest of Team Flashpoint, something you've admitted several times. People change. He has, and so have you. The fact is, the fans have noticed it, and so have I.

James Edwards: Well good for y'all, I guess.

Johnson shakes her head in disbelief.

Amanda Johnson: Well Chandler was right about one thing, you always have to make things more difficult than they have to be! What I'm trying to tell you is that people give a shit about what you have to say because of the way you aren't like every other wrestler on the Flashpoint roster. You say what you mean and stick with it no matter what. You are doing your damndest to be a better a person. You tried to show Chandler some respect, and he spit in your face. You didn't deserve that in the eyes of the fans and me. Now, the fans want to know what you have to say because, believe it or not, they do actually care about you. I need to know because it's my job to find out and I think you owe to me after the way you've spoken to me on several occasions.

Johnson's uncharacteristic outburst is met with silence from Edwards. He shyly looks down at the floor as the rage instantly evaporates from his demeanor. Amanda puts a hand on his shoulder.

Amanda Johnson: James, I'm sorry, that was unprofessional of me to say, it is not my place to comment on--

James Edwards: You're right.

He takes a deep breath.

James Edwards: What you said is damn right. I make this shit harder than it has to be.

Johnson removes her hands from James' shoulder to reestablish the professional boundary between them.

James Edwards: But can you blame me? I'm not trying to justify my shitty attitude, I promise, but you can't blame a guy for being frustrated. I've done all the right things since All-Star Showdown: I haven't made any trouble, I've faced and beaten who management has put in front of me, and I hadn't touched anyone out of anger when I damn well had the right to.

Amanda Johnson: Until tonight.

James Edwards: Yep, but let's be honest, Chandler had it coming, he got what he deserved.

Amanda Johnson: Why is that?

James Edwards: You've been watchin' him the last couple of months. He's treated me like I'm his punk little cousin, always followin' him around like a lost puppy or something like that. He couldn't just tell me no when I asked for a title shot or that I had to earn it, he disrespected me; he told me I wasn't on his level and never will be with his actions. Usually, I'd let that shit fly; I'd take my anger and use it as motivation to train for the fight, but not this time. This time I'm makin' him pay for every transgression when I get the chance, whether it is in the ring or out of it. He's gonna know well before New York that I can hurt him. He won't have any doubts that I'm the most dangerous contender he's faced in years, and he'll learn that he should be afraid of me.

Amanda Johnson: And why should Chandler Scott be afraid of you?

Edwards looks directly into the camera, calmer than the audience has seen him during the volatile interview.

James Edwards: Chandler Scott should be afraid of me because I've beaten him before and he knows it. I almost knocked his ass out again tonight. He also knows I'm hungrier than he is. While he's been given chance after chance this year, I've had to take a long way around to this title fight. I've had to listen to enough garbage from the so-called elite in this company telling me I don't belong in the main event. This might be my only shot to shut them up; this might be my only chance to win a world title in FGA, and I'm damn sure not going to waste it, my health or sanity be damned!

Johnson smiles uneasily at James.

Amanda Johnson: Thanks for your time, James, I have some shoes I need to fetch.

Edwards nods and the two part ways more peacefully than they usually do.

[Chandler Scott]

Our scene shifts to Amanda Johnson, who is walking with purpose backstage at the Mohegan Sun Arena. But Ms. Johnson isn't in a rush to go hit the slot machines or the roulette tables. Instead, she is on a mission to get a word with the other half of Flashpoint's featured match at Final Frontier. She's on a mission to get a word with the International Heavyweight Champion himself, Chandler Scott. After a couple of turns, Amanda makes her way into the Trainer's Room. She turns to her left to find Chandler sitting on an Exam Table. The International Heavyweight Champion isn't in the best of spirits. He appears to be despondent after the events that took place roughly thirty to forty minutes ago. Chandler continues to sit with a white towel pressed firmly against his face. As the cameraman and Amanda get a closer look, the part of the terrycloth towel that is against his face has looks to have turned a shade of red. Amanda turns to her cameraman and motions for him to get in closer.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, I am here backstage at the Mohegan Sun Arena after another exciting edition of Flashpoint. Whether you love them or hate them, the Chaotics just electrified this crowd with their matchup. The main event saw Logan Alexander advance to the First Round of this year's Frontier Lions Cup, where he will take on former FGA Undisputed Champion Johnny Karma. But before our main event, we saw a heated confrontation between the "Burning Heart" James Edwards and this man right over here. Chandler Scott, that confrontation between yourself and James Edwards quickly turned violent. Do you have any thoughts at all on James Edwards after feeling the power of the "Burning Heart" first hand?

Chandler Scott: ...

Chandler Scott doesn't respond to the question. He just continues to ignore Amanda Johnson's existence.

Amanda Johnson: Are you at all concerned about how close you were to being on the receiving end of another Violent Gospel?

Chandler Scott: ...

Again, Chandler doesn't bite. Instead, he continues to stare forward without saying a word or acknowledging the question.

Amanda Johnson: Does this at all concern you as you head into your match at Final Frontier? It appears that a match has been lit under Edwards after you blatant disrespect to your number one contender?

Chandler Scott: ...

Chandler continues to remain silence. No grunting. No sucking of teeth. Nothing. He doesn't nod his head. He doesn't roll his eyes. Nothing.

Amanda Johnson: My oh my, Chandler Scott speechless, ladies and gentlemen. I believe this is a first. The champ seems to be pretty roughed up and doesn't appear to be in the friendliest mood. Maybe we'll give the champ here a little more time to calm himself down and maybe then he'll warm up. Or not.

The sass in that last comment finally causes Chandler to react. Chandler finally slips off the Exam Table and lands on his feet. He slowly removes the terrycloth before tossing it to the side. He glares a hole through the facetious interviewer as he narrows his eyes. Chandler slowly walks over to hear.

Amanda Johnson: Care to finally spe--

Chandler snatches a hold of the mic before lowering it. He gets even closer to Amanda.

Chandler Scott: ...you think this is funny, what happened out there? Does this amuse you? You get enjoyment out of seeing me like this? Did you get enjoyment out of seeing me get attacked unprovoked?

Amanda Johnson: Well actually, you put your hands on h--

Chandler Scott: It was a rhetorical question!

Amanda shuts down after Chandler cuts her off. Steam is practically coming out of the ears of the International Heavyweight Champion.

Chandler Scott: James Edwards thinks this is funny. I bet he's got a big 'ol smile on his face for once in his miserable life. Good. Laugh. Laugh it up. Enjoy this. We're going to see who gets to laugh last at Final Frontier. And here's a hint: it damn sure won't be James Edwards.

Chandler continues to stare a hole through Amanda while the reporter avoids eye contact with the champion.

Chandler Scott: ...Leave.

Amanda motions for the cameraman to follow her out of the room, leaving Chandler Scott to continue stewing in anger.